WATCH : Lionel Messi swaps jerseys with 17-year-old Chelsea playmaker Kendry Paez

Kendry Paez, the Chelsea teenager, is one of the world's most promising football players right now. Despite being aware that he will not be allowed to join the Blues until the following summer, there currently exists optimism and trust that he will play an important role for them in the future.

Paez's talent has been previously demonstrated by his regular appearances for Ecuador's senior team, alongside club record purchase Moises Caicedo. In his early career, he has already established an array of South American football records, some of which were previously held by Pele.

The teenager returned to action Wednesday night, wearing the No. 10 shirt versus Argentina during a friendly contest that the World Cup winners won 1-0. This pitted him against Lionel Messi, probably the best player ever to wear that jersey number, and Enzo Fernandez, who came on as a second-half substitute.

Paez and Messi swap shirts at the end of friendly encounter 

Barcelona Legend, 8 times Balon D'or winner and one of the Modern Day GOATs, Leo Messi exchanging his jersey with 17 years old future Balon D'or winner, Kendry Paez 🇦🇷📷 Chelsea and Ecuador Star Boy.#LionelMessi #Messi #GOAT #KendryPaez #Paez #ARGECU pic.twitter.com/2AvkFk0DMx

— Bhaskar A (@BhaskarAL23) June 10, 2024

At the end of the match, Paez contacted the Inter Miami player in an attempt to trade shirts, and the footage posted on 'CFC Ecuadorians' Twitter depicts the two exchanging shirts, a handshake, and some pleasantries. Knowing that the most talented player in history was willing to do this demonstrates a strong belief in the Chelsea youngster's ability to have a successful career in football.

 It was rumored in the summer that Chelsea is planning to transfer Paez to Strasbourg, citing the manner in which Andrey Santos performed on loan there during the second part of the season.However, the capacity he has previously demonstrated suggests that he might have an immediate role at Stamford Bridge despite whoever will be in charge at the point when he joins.

Chelsea have a good core of youngsters in their squad and are looking to build out a squad full of talent that might be destined to dominate the world for a long time. It remains to be seen what plans does the new manager Enzo Maresca have with this bright Chelsea squad.